"Random" pat downs at SFO
Jul 24, 2009 | 12:49 am
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"Random" pat downs at SFO
So here's something interesting that was happening at SFO tonight. Some men were getting pat downs after going through the WTMD. It was only men and they did not set anything it off. Mr. firespirit got a pat down. He usually asks for a private screening but was tired and slightly confused when the TSO motioned for him to spread his arms out, since he had not set off the WTMD. We sat and watched for a few minutes and no women were patted down but about 2/3 of men were. So, my question is, since they didn't want to call for a female assist and where selecting males only for this secondary, how is this not profiling?
Jul 24, 2009 | 6:13 am
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Jul 24, 2009 | 6:39 am
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Jul 24, 2009 | 8:38 am
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Mike
Jul 24, 2009 | 11:16 am
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Jul 24, 2009 | 4:20 pm
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Profiling is not illegal for TSA.
However, I think they would have a hard time explaining the logic behind gender discrimination next time they testify on capitol hill.
However, I think they would have a hard time explaining the logic behind gender discrimination next time they testify on capitol hill.
Jul 24, 2009 | 6:18 pm
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This has happened to me the last two times I went through SFO. The first time I thought it was just random; when it happend again a couple of days ago, I started to wonder. 
Jul 24, 2009 | 6:37 pm
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So here's something interesting that was happening at SFO tonight. Some men were getting pat downs after going through the WTMD. It was only men and they did not set anything it off. Mr. firespirit got a pat down. He usually asks for a private screening but was tired and slightly confused when the TSO motioned for him to spread his arms out, since he had not set off the WTMD. We sat and watched for a few minutes and no women were patted down but about 2/3 of men were. So, my question is, since they didn't want to call for a female assist and where selecting males only for this secondary, how is this not profiling?
I think you meant the latter. If it were the former, you would see passengers patted on their private parts as well, which would make it random petting.
If two thirds of the male passengers were selected, and no female passengers were selected, I don't see anything random about it. If the TSA claimed that the selectees were chosen in a random fashion, either they don;t now what random means, or they are lying, probably both.
Jul 24, 2009 | 6:39 pm
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Jul 24, 2009 | 7:48 pm
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same question as above
Jul 24, 2009 | 7:49 pm
#15
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If two thirds of the male passengers were selected, and no female passengers were selected, I don't see anything random about it. If the TSA claimed that the selectees were chosen in a random fashion, either they don;t now what random means, or they are lying, probably both.
And I've argued for months that describing this process as "random" shows a lack of understanding of what the word means. But I know a little too much about mathematics for my own good ...